Bukit Tagar pig farm plan shelved as Selangor reviews alternatives

 

THE SELANGOR government has put the proposed pig farming project in Bukit Tagar on hold following public objections and growing concern, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said.

He explained that the decision was made to allow the state to explore alternative locations, engage with livestock operators, and clear up misunderstandings among stakeholders. Amirudin added that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had contacted him while he was overseas, noting that the issue had escalated beyond the actual facts.

“We have decided to halt and temporarily shelve the project while we look at other possible sites or approaches,” Amirudin told reporters after delivering the 2026 New Year Address at Dewan Raja Muda Musa on Monday (Jan 26).

He said the state executive council has directed Infrastructure and Agriculture executive councillor Datuk Izham Hashim to identify alternative locations for the project.

According to Amirudin, the project remains at a preliminary stage, with no formal proposal paper or approvals submitted. However, public perception that it would proceed immediately created confusion, prompting the state government to take a more cautious stance.

“This issue became premature. Community engagement, social impact assessments and other necessary processes should have been conducted first. We acknowledge that announcements may have been made before proper procedures were followed,” he said.

Amirudin also dismissed sarcastic claims that the Bukit Tagar project would resemble a “pig hotel,” stressing that the state government’s priority is to protect the interests of all parties fairly. He said there was no intention to develop a large-scale pig farming operation, as portrayed by some quarters.

“It is not a mega or large-scale project. It may only meet about 20 to 30 per cent of requirements. Claims of a ‘mega’ project are exaggerated,” he said, adding that the aim was to reorganise scattered pig farms to improve hygiene and environmental management.

On Jan 10, Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah expressed disappointment and disagreement with the state government’s plan to allow pig farming operations in Tanjong Sepat, Kuala Langat, beginning this year before relocating them to Bukit Tagar in 2030.

Last Friday, the Prime Minister also suggested that the proposed project be paused or moved to a more suitable location. —  Focus Malaysia